Exciting News About Camp WSA 2026!

 

 

Camp WSA 2026 is back at Camp Twin Lakes West in Rutledge, GA! Join us May 24th to 29th!

We are thrilled to share early details about Camp WSA 2026 as we build on everything we learned and loved at Camp Will-A-Way last year. The 2025 session proved something powerful: even with challenges, Camp Will-A-Way delivered a warm, welcoming setting where our campers made friends, tried new activities, and created memories that will stay with them for years.

We heard your enthusiasm. We saw the smiles. We watched your kids and teens thrive. And now we are ready to do it again for 2026.

What We Know So Far
Camp Twin Lakes has moved us back to our original campgrounds (Camp Twin Lakes West) in Rutledge, GA! This is the site we used in 2023 and 2024 for both kids and teen camps. Many campers, families, and staff already know this location, which makes arrival, transitions, and routines easier for everyone. The cabins, activity spaces, and dining hall will feel familiar to returning campers, which helps reduce stress and boosts confidence from day one. Campers who were new last year will have an experience that is in common to many of their friends who were able to attend in previous years. The layout supports smoother schedules, stronger staffing, and a setup our team already understands well. Families can expect the same community feel as last year, with the added comfort of a site that has worked well for our camp in the past.

We also know the earlier time of year is still tough for many families. Balancing school schedules, district calendars, and travel needs is not easy. While the dates give us cooler weather, more time outside, and room to welcome campers who return to school in early August, we recognize the new schedule may still create barriers.

We want you to know we hear that. And we are working to address it.

Why We Are Moving Forward
Skipping camp is still not an option for the WSA. Camp remains one of our most important programs. It is a place where:

  • Kids grow more independent.
  • Teens gain confidence through shared experiences.
  • Parents and caregivers get meaningful respite.
  • Friendships form that last long after campfire songs fade.

Your children deserve that space. And they deserve it every year.

What Camp 2026 Will Look Like
 We will continue building on what campers loved in 2025:

  • Boating and fishing
  • Rock wall climbing and zip-lining
  • Time with the animals at the farm
  • Classic camp games and group activities

Therapeutic support and music programming will still be part of the experience, woven into activities in a natural and engaging way.

We will again integrate the talented Camp Twin Lakes team to help deliver more hands-on activities and create a full schedule that keeps campers moving, learning, and laughing.

Planning for the Future

While we prepare for another great summer at Camp Will-A-Way, we are actively exploring options for 2027 and beyond. We are looking for locations that:

  • Offer dates that allow more campers to attend
  • Are more centrally located for nationwide travel
  • Reduce rental costs
  • Create opportunities for spring or fall family camps

If you know of a camp we should consider or have questions about the upcoming session, please email us at summercamp@williams-syndrome.org.

WSA Teen Camp

Teen Camp Experience

May 24 - 29, 2026

Location: Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge West Campus, 1391 Keencheefoonee Road, Rutledge, GA 30663 (~45 minutes east of Atlanta)

Ages 13-20

Teen Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 13-20.  Campers attend camp independently and stay together in cabins with other campers & counselors. 

Campers, grouped by their cabins, will join summer camp activities like recreation, art, archery, biking, boats, rock wall, swimming, and more. Each camper will also have the opportunity to choose a WSA curated music class. In the evenings, there will be campfires, s’mores, and a camp-wide dance party!!

Registration Cost: $750 per camper

Once your registration is complete, within 3 business days, you will receive an invoice from the WSA with information about installment plans, add-ons, and a link to payment.

For campers over the age of 18, you will also receive a link to fill out information to complete a background check.

WSA Kids Camp

Kid Camp Experience

May 24 - 29, 2026

Location: Camp Twin Lakes-Rutledge West Campus, 1391 Keencheefoonee Road, Rutledge, GA 30663 (~45 minutes east of Atlanta)

Ages 6-12

Kids Camp is a 6 day/5 night program designed for individuals with WS ages 6-12. Campers attend camp with one parent or caregiver and stay together in cabins with other campers & their parents. 

During the day, campers and their parents will participate in summer camp activities like archery, biking, boats, rock wall, swimming and more. There will be trained therapists and certified staff to work with campers and their parents on using proven therapy techniques they can take home and use in their community. In the evenings, there will be campfires, s’mores, and a camp-wide dance party!!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible camp experience. Go to williams-syndrome.org/camps for more details, and we’ll see you at Whispering Trails! 

Registration Cost: $750 total for camper and 1 parent

Once your registration is complete, within 3 business days, you will receive an invoice from the WSA with information about installment plans, add-ons, and a link to payment.

For parent/caregivers over the age of 18, you will also receive a link to fill out information to complete a background check.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Stay tuned for information for 2026!

Due to the generous support of committed members of the WSA community, we have scholarships funds available for our 2026 WSA Teen and Kid Camp Experiences. The maximum award to offset the cost of camp is up to $750 per awardee. In order to apply for 2026 camp funding, you must:

  • Experience Williams syndrome & be between the ages of 6 and 20
    • Ages 6-12 will need to be able to attend with a caregiver (no cost for the caregiver)
    • Ages 13-20 will need to be able attend independently
  • Be a current WSA member (membership is complimentary) Join or renew your membership now
  • Have financial need*

*For purposes of these scholarships, financial need means being under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. For example, Federal Poverty Guidelines for a family of 4 is an income of $31,200/year. Therefore, 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline for a family of 4 in the 48 contiguous states is an annual income of less than $62,400. If your family meets this criteria, please feel free to apply! Documentation of financial need is not required for application submission but may be requested during the WSA's annual audit. 

WSA Camp Staff Needed!

The Williams Syndrome Association only accepts applications to work at our camps. For volunteering and working at the non-WSA camps, visit their websites directly.

Staff Needed: Certified Professionals, Counselors, CIT's, and Jr. Counselors

Licensed/Certified Professionals: Certified Professionals will utilize their therapeutic knowledge to help support our campers in a way that will help them enjoy camp to the fullest and gain tools to apply in their everyday life. Outside of groups, they will engage in all camp activities and may be asked to facilitate other programming - leading activities, supporting music activities, and leading campfire songs. We are interested in hiring individuals with one of the following licenses and/or certifications: Adaptive Physical Educator, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Intervention Specialist, Music Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Recreational Therapist, or Speech Therapist. Experience working with individuals with Williams Syndrome is preferred, but all applicants will be considered. 

Senior Counselors: Senior Counselors fulfill all regular counselor duties but are usually considered veteran counselors, having significant experience with both the disability community and providing individualized supports to diverse individuals. These counselors are generally returning counselors and most often siblings of a person with WS or professionals in the disability community.

Want to come to camp as a volunteer?

We are seeking volunteer counselors for both Camp Programs! Counselors are the heart of camp and support campers in their activities! If you are interested in volunteering at camp, please apply below!

Volunteer Counselors: Counselors support all programming as scheduled. During special events, like evening programming, these counselors are essential for camper supervision and “crowd control”. Counselors often have the best opportunity to make camp magic happen, building deep connections with their cabins and helping campers feel at home. They are actively involved in facilitating cabin life and supporting all camper needs. 

Jr. Counselors: Junior Counselors are individuals who love someone or are a sibling of someone with WS. They are still learning the full responsibility of a camp counselor. They are not left alone with campers, but are responsible for supporting camper needs and supporting the success of all activities. 

Counselors in Training: Counselors-in-Training are individuals who are still learning the full responsibility of a camp counselor. They are not left alone with campers, but are responsible for supporting camper needs and supporting the success of all activities. In order to apply to be a Counselor in Training, you must: 

  • Be diagnosed with Williams syndrome and have previously attended Whispering Trails Camp Programs
  • Be at least 23 years old and graduated from camp 2 or more years ago
  • Be able to independently manage your personal care and follow a daily schedule
  • Have previous volunteer or job experience 

The history of WSA Camp changes:

Back in November 2024, our partners at Camp Twin Lakes shared a few changes that impact our 2025 summer camp session:

  • Camp Twin Lakes will be hosting us at a different location - Camp Will-A-Way in Winder, GA. It’s about the same distance from the Atlanta airport, and close to Athens, GA. It is a more established campground with more trees and character, but all cabins and amenities have been updated to meet current needs and regulations.
  • Our camp week has been moved up to May 25 - 30, 2025. We know this means some kids and teens may still be in school, but it will allow others who were already back in school at the beginning of August to join us this summer. While we’ll miss the end-of-summer get together, the earlier dates bring cooler weather and fresh possibilities for outdoor fun. 

We know change can be tricky—especially with a less planning time and some shifts in staff availability—but skipping camp? That’s simply NOT an option for the WSA! Camp is where lifelong friendships bloom, confidence soars, and parents get some respite knowing their kids are safe, happy, and thriving. It’s a launchpad for growth, autonomy, and connection. It’s where kids become more independent, teens discover lifelong passions, and parents get the gift of knowing their children are thriving in a supportive, inclusive environment. 

 This year, we’re leaning into classic camp adventures—think boating, fishing, rock wall climbing, zip-lining, and spending time with the animals at the farm! While some of the therapy-focused programming and organized music sessions will take a step back, the focus will be on fun, exploration, and independence-building activities - with therapeutic support and music built in!

Campers will still experience the camp spirit and programming they’ve come to love, but this summer we’ll integrate the Camp Twin Lakes’ team to deliver even more exciting activities and unforgettable moments.